MADAM - Can you imagine what life would be like if you couldn't get lost in a good novel, or your children were unable to join in with their friends and classmates at school?
This is a reality for blind and partially sighted adults and children all over the UK because so few books are available in a range of accessible formats.
That includes an estimated 186,000 people in the South West region who are living with sight loss.
That's why I'm supporting RNIB Read and encouraging everyone to 'wear dots and raise lots' during October to support RNIB's vital reading services.
This year the theme of RNIB Read is the marvellous braille system which uses a series of raised dots to enable blind people to read.
It was developed almost 200 years ago by a young boy who lost his sight in an accident.
Braille revolutionised communication for blind people and is still in use today.
RNIB's national library, which is the largest of its kind in the UK, offers a choice of fiction and non-fiction titles in braille, audio and giant print for people of all ages with sight loss.
It can cost more than £4,000 to make a single title available in fully accessible formats but it's easy to support this really important service by wearing dots during the month of October.
Why not get your colleagues, friends and classmates involved and have fun with dots whilst supporting this fantastic cause?
To register to take part or to find out more, call 0845 345 0054 or visit www.readforrnib.org.uk.
Arlene Phillips
RNIB Read supporter
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